Four-Star Favourites from Golf Escapes

by Ella Ruben

Back at the end of May, you may have seen our blog on some of our four-star favourites resorts here at Golf Escapes and in this blog, there are even more lovely resorts for you to consider for your next golf break. The temperature is dropping in the UK now and it is time to start thinking about the next time you will get to play some golf somewhere warm and there are some excellent resorts within this post that may interest you…

 

First up we have the lovely Isla Canela Golf which is the ideal hotel for golfers who are wanting to seize the opportunity to enjoy a few rounds of golf on the prestigious Isla Canela Golf Course as the hotel is situated on-site of the course. Not only is the hotel situated on the same property as a fantastic golf course, but it is also situated within close proximity to a range of different bars and restaurants as well as a lovely beach. The hotel offers an excellent half-board option if you are looking to remain in the hotel for dinner which wouldn’t be a bad thing as the hotel’s Thebussem Restaurant offers a wide menu with delicious Mediterranean dishes and international favourites and there is also a separate café which boasts a lovely terrace overlooking the golf course and serves light snacks and tapas.

Besides the fantastic golf course, the best thing about Isla Canela Golf is that you can enjoy the best of both worlds as the hotel is set away from the hustle and bustle of the coastal resorts but it is still within walking distance to a few bars and restaurants and just a ten minutes’ drive will take you into the charming centre of Ayamonte where there are many bars and restaurants.

 

Within the hotel, there are just 56 double guestrooms and all of them are decorated with modern furnishings to a high standard and they all boast all of the amenities that you could want or need including a private balcony from which you can enjoy stunning views of the hotel’s surroundings as well as a satellite TV, complimentary Wi-Fi and air conditioning. Whatever it is that you are looking for from your next golf escape, Isla Canela Golf has everything that you could possibly need or want and boasts an idyllic location just outside of Ayamonte.

 

Situated in the heart of the Mar Menor Golf Resort are The Residences which are all beautifully furnished and well designed and are all fantastic value for money. Much like Isla Canela, staying within the resort means that you are away from the hustle and bustle of bigger towns, but you are still just 15 minutes’ drive from Murcia Airport and just a bit further from the fantastic city of Cartagena. The best thing about staying within the Mar Menor Golf Resort is the fact that you not only have the brilliant Mar Menor course on-site but there are so many other brilliant courses situated in the area including La Torre, El Valle, Alhama Signature Course and Hacienda Riquelme. Besides from playing golf, you can relax around one of the swimming pools within the resort or workout in the gym or on the tennis courts.

The apartments are one, two and three bedrooms and they are all spacious and well-furnished with well-equipped kitchens as well as a balcony or terrace from which you can enjoy beautiful views of the hotel’s surroundings and the golf course. All of the apartments come with all modern essentials including kitchen appliances, internet access and a TV in the lounge area. If you are looking for an excellent self-catering option with excellent golf, beautiful surroundings and easy access to nearby towns and cities as well as the airport, look no further than The Residences at Mar Menor Golf Resort for your next golf break.

 

Last, but certainly not least, is Macdonald Hill Valley Golf and Spa which is situated just a mile from Whitchurch and boasts two excellent golf courses as well as extensive leisure facilities and a wonderful restaurant for you to enjoy during your tranquil golf break here. The hotel is situated within acres and acres of peaceful and beautiful gardens but is still close to the motorway which means that exploring the local area around the hotel is easy. You can spend your days here relaxing in the hotel’s grounds, eating and drinking within the hotel’s excellent Borders Restaurant and the Masters Bar and of course, playing a few rounds of golf on the golf courses here.

There are two courses onsite: Emerald Course and Sapphire Course. The Emerald Championships course boasts undulating fairways, strategically placed bunkers and a stern challenge of golf to those of all abilities. The Sapphire Course is the perfect course for a great round of golf but it slightly less challenging than the Emerald Course.

 

Within the hotel’s grounds, there is a great leisure centre which boasts a pool, a gym and a nail bar. There is also the Hill Valley spa which is a lovely place to relax within as there are a steam room and sauna and there you can find a range of different health and beauty treatments on offer for a small extra charge. Not only are the leisure facilities excellent but the rooms are lovely and spacious and boast all of the amenities that you could want or need for your next golf break within the UK. With wonderful golf, great facilities and a lovely location, look no further than the Macdonald Hill Valley Golf and Spa.

 

We hope that you have enjoyed this week’s blog and that you will take a look at these properties further and give us a call if you are thinking about booking your next golf holiday wherever it may be…

 

Four of our Favourite Luxury Golf Escapes

by Ella Ruben

This week’s blog is a guide to some of our luxury golf holidays that you can choose from if luxury is the main thing that you are looking for from an excellent golf escape. Wherever you are looking to go, we have something brilliant on offer that is sure to catch your eye.

 

First up we have the Westin Resort in Costa Navarino which is a beautiful five-star resort situated within a lovely area of Greece. Within close proximity of the hotel, you can find not only two excellent golf courses but also many different leisure activities and facilities for you to enjoy during your time here. The hotel is set just five minutes’ walk from The Dunes Beach and boasts stunning views from the hotel of the Ionian Sea.

Within the hotel, there are 445 rooms and suites which are all fully fitted with all of the modern amenities and facilities that you would expect from a hotel of this standard including jetted tubs in the bathrooms and stunning views from each of the rooms’ private balconies. During the day, spend time relaxing on one of the local beaches or around one of the pools or even in the Anazoe Spa which boasts extensive facilities. Of course, the highlight of your trip will be playing on the Dunes and Bay golf courses which both boast stunning coastline and fantastic reputations for being the best courses in the whole of Greece. For your next luxurious golf escape, look no further than Costa Navarino where you can find the most luxurious hotels, golf courses and beaches for you to enjoy to the full.

 

Next up, situated in Cyprus in the region of Paphos is the brilliant Thanos Hotel Annabelle which is a luxurious five-star hotel set amongst beautiful tropical gardens with palm trees and flowers and just a few minutes’ walk from the seafront. Paphos is well-known for its golden beaches and great harbour which boasts an array of great restaurants and bars. This harbour is just ten minutes’ walk from the hotel’s entrance!

Whilst you are here, you can enjoy Paphos’ nightlife but you can also enjoy the tranquillity of the local beaches and areas around the resort as you are far enough away to escape the hustle and bustle of the harbour.

 

The hotel boasts 218 spacious guestrooms which boast marble bathrooms, stunning views from the rooms’ private balconies as well as Wi-Fi, satellite television and air conditioning. Whilst you are staying within Thanos Hotel Annabelle, you can access the sister hotel’s (Almyra’s) spa and leisure facilities but you can also choose to remain within the hotel and enjoy soaking up the Greek sun! The best thing about a golf escape to Thanos Hotel Annabelle is that there are four brilliant championship golf courses within a short drive of the hotel including Aphrodite Hills, PGA National Cyprus, Elea Golf Club and Minthis Golf Club which means that you really can have the best of both here with a luxury hotel as well as excellent golfing opportunities…

 

Another luxurious hotel is the new Golf du Medoc which is situated within 200 acres of beautiful French countryside just outside of the city of Bordeaux and boasts two brilliant 18-hole golf courses onsite of the hotel. The two courses, Les Chateau and Les Vignes are both pristine and have both hosted a number of international tournaments and have both been consistently ranked as two of the top 100 courses in Europe and it isn’t hard to see why.

Not only is the golf extremely impressive here, but the hotel boasts modern spa facilities including an indoor heated swimming pool, a Hamman and a fully-equipped fitness centre as well as a range of health and beauty treatments for you to enjoy at your leisure. The hotel boasts 79 rooms and suites which are all beautifully decorated and boast all of the amenities and facilities that you could need or want in order to enjoy your stay including complimentary Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a minibar and a safe as well as a hairdryer. This hotel is a must-visit for those looking for wonderful food, golf and wine as well as somewhere to truly relax and unwind. Look no further than Golf du Medoc for your next luxurious golf escape to France…

 

Last, but certainly not least, is Fancourt Hotel which is situated in Cape Provinces nestled between mountains and forests in the heart of the Garden Route. Not only does the hotel boast luxurious accommodation and extensive facilities but there are three Gary Player designed golf courses situated on-site of the hotel.

 

All of the guestrooms at The Fancourt boast elegant furnishings and private balconies from which you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Outeniqua Mountains. Within the rooms, there are minibars and a satellite TV as well as toiletries and spacious private bathrooms. During the day, when you are not enjoying one of the fantastic golf courses, you can relax within the hotel’s spa or the leisure centre or around the large outdoor swimming pool. There are many other activities to enjoy including walking trails, bird watching and fishing.

There are four restaurants within the hotel which means that you will be spoilt for choice during your stay. The restaurants serve international cuisine which is created using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and make sure to enjoy a few drinks within the hotel’s bar where you can find regional wines and a spacious garden terrace to relax on. With extensive facilities, three very impressive golf courses and luxury accommodation, it is no surprise that The Fancourt Hotel is recommended by us for your next golf escape…

We hope that you have enjoyed this week’s blog and that next time you are thinking about booking a golf break if it is luxury that you are looking for, look no further than these fantastic resorts.

Preview of the 2018 Ryder Cup

by Ella Ruben

This week’s blog is a preview for the Ryder Cup which is starting tomorrow (the 28th) and is going to be played over the weekend at the brilliant Le Golf National in Paris. This weekend’s golfing competition will see Europe try to regain the Ryder Cup against a very powerful American team.

This biennial tournament is always an exciting one with the best European players competing against the top American golfers in order to claim victory for their team. This year, The US has 11 of the top 20 players in the world and Europe have just six of them but that doesn’t mean that Europe cannot reclaim the title this weekend after the USA won at Hazeltine in 2016 by 17 points to 11.

The Albatros Course at Le Golf National is a really beautiful course and it is widely recognised as being one of the best championship golf courses in the whole of Europe. The course has played host to the French Open since 1991 and boasts a spectacular golfing challenge to even the most experienced and brilliant golfers which makes it an ideal venue to hold this exciting event. The course lies just 20 miles outside of Paris and opened in 1991 after three years of construction. The course itself is firm but fair and measures over 7,000 yards from the championship tees, it is also arguably the toughest test of golf in the Paris region and is an exciting round of golf both for players and spectators. The final four holes of the course are surrounded by water hazards and these difficult holes will make or break for the teams’ scorecards this weekend which will be thrilling to watch.

The American captain, Jim Furyk, will be hoping for a repeat of Team USA’s performance back at Hazeltine but Team Europe’s captain, Thomas Bjorn will be sure to try his hardest to reclaim the title for his team and this weekend, we will get to watch this battle unfold. Thomas Bjorn has been on the winning side in his three appearances as a player and only on the losing side once as a vice-captain in four events. He has had plenty of leadership experience whilst being a vice-captain in 2010, 2012 and 2016 and previously, in 2004. Bjorn has had a great career on the European Tour and captaining Team Europe to victory at Le Golf National this weekend will top off this career nicely.

Jim Furyk, like Bjorn, has not captained before but he has made more starts in the Ryder Cup for the US than any other player and in the past few years, has shown his talent at different competitions including tying for second place at the 2016 U.S. Open and becoming the first player to shoot 58 in a PGA Tour event back in 2016 as well. Another great player who will be fighting hard for Team USA will be Tiger Woods and many people have been speculating whether this weekend will become a lot about Woods showing off his return to form. Woods has won an astounding 80 events on the PGA Tour, including 14 major championships and was previously named as one of the Vice Captains under Jim Furyk for this year’s event before being named as a captain’s pick. With Furyk and Woods, as well as other world class players, Team USA will be a tough team for Team Europe to beat.

Sergio Garcia has been named as one of the captain’s pick by Thomas Bjorn and it isn’t hard to see why. He is a veteran of eight Ryder Cups and has won 22.5 points during these appearances and just last year, he won his first Major Championship at the 2017 Masters Tournament where he beat Justin Rose, his Ryder Cup teammate this weekend. Justin Rose is another strong player for Team Europe has this will be his fourth consecutive Ryder Cup with Team Europe and he has been both on the winning side and the losing side twice. Rose recently reached a career-high World Ranking of second after he finished as a runner-up at The Open.

With both teams bringing out their best and most experienced players, this weekend is sure to be an exciting one with play at Le Golf National starting this Friday so make sure that you are tuned in and keeping up with play over the weekend.

Whilst you may not be out on the golf course this weekend as you may prefer to sit back on the sofa and enjoy the action, there is still plenty of time for you to plan an Autumn golf escape somewhere nice…

A Treat for Golfers and Non-Golfers Alike

by Ella Ruben

This week’s blog is a guide to some of our best resorts that are perfect for both golfers and non-golfers. Whether you are looking for great golf or excellent leisure facilities and luxurious accommodation, look no further than one of these superb resorts next time you are looking to travel as a group of both golfers and non-golfers, with your family or with a partner who isn’t as keen to spend time on the golf course as you are!

First up we have the brilliant Palacio Estoril Hotel Golf and Spa which is a lovely, five-star hotel situated in the heart of the luxurious resort of Estoril just a few minutes’ walk from the sandy beaches. This hotel boasts so much charm and character, as well as access to some of the best golf courses in the area including Golf do Estoril, Oitavos, Marinha and Penha Longa. If you are a non-golfer, you can enjoy your time here relaxing in the hotel’s excellent spa which boasts a sauna, a Turkish bath, an indoor pool and a hot tub as well as massage and beauty sessions. This beautiful hotel offers four brilliant dining outlets including The Grill Four Seasons where you can find a wide range of both Portuguese and international specialities. This luxurious hotel offers great deals on golf packages where you can receive free transfers to and from the courses and for non-golfers, the spa here is unrivalled and you also have easy access to the stunning beaches and the casino. Look no further than this five-star property for your next golf break with a non-golfer!

Another brilliant resort for both golfers and non-golfers is the five-star Cornelia Deluxe Resort which is situated in Belek and offers an excellent all-inclusive option. You can enjoy a wide range of activities during your stay here including tennis, aerobics, billiards and bowling and there is also a great kids club if you are planning on a golf break with your family! The best thing about staying here is the reduced green fees for the Cornelia Faldo course but for non-golfers, you have to be impressed with the hotel’s direct access to its own private beach where you can find an abundance of sunbeds and a great beach bar. With beautiful and well-appointed accommodation which boasts everything that you could need or want in order to have a perfect golf break, access to a private beach and brilliant leisure facilities including the Cornelia Faldo golf course, you need look no further than the brilliant Cornelia Deluxe Resort for your nets golf escape to Turkey.

The brilliant La Manga Resort boasts two excellent accommodation options; you can either stay win the Prince Felipe Hotel or the apartments with Las Lomas Village. The apartments are all very well-appointed with fully-equipped kitchens and living areas which means they are the perfect option for those who want to self-cater as you still get access to everything within the resort including the swimming pools, the spa and the La Manga golf courses. The Hotel Prince Felipe is widely considered to be the centrepiece of the fantastic La Manga Resort and is a beautiful and luxurious hotel. All of the rooms within the hotel boast private balconies and all of the amenities that you would expect from a hotel of is standard including satellite tv and tea and coffee making facilities. With two brilliant accommodation options, extensive leisure facilities and three excellent golf courses, there is nowhere better for your next golf break to Spain than the fabulous La Manga Resort in Murcia whether you re a golfer or non-golfer.

Last, but certainly not least, is the five-star Verdura Resort, A Rocco Forte Hotel situated in Sicily. The resort is situated within 230 hectares of olive groves and other beautiful Sicilian countryside. The resort boasts lovely, spacious rooms and some of the rooms even boast their own private courtyard and terraces which overlook the Mediterranean Sea. The resort boasts great leisure facilities including tennis courts, two 18-hole golf courses, a large infinity pool and a gym. For those who aren’t planning on spending time on one of the golf courses, you can enjoy a range of different beauty treatments and massages. There are some great dining options within the resort with four excellent restaurants for you to choose from. Whether you are coming to enjoy the golf or just the local area, brilliant weather and extensive facilities within the hotel, you won’t be disappointed if you choose the Verdura Resort for your next holiday to Sicily.

 

We hope that you have enjoyed this week’s blog and that next time you are thinking about where to travel to with your group of friend, partner or family, consider one of these fantastic resorts for your next golf break…

The Best Resorts with Golf On-site

by Ella Ruben

This week’s blog is a guide to some resorts that boast excellent golf course onsite. Whether you are looking for a short golf break where you won’t have to leave the hotel to find a brilliant golf course or you are just looking for ease, look no further than one of these excellent resorts golf resorts for your next golf escape where there is golf onsite of the resort…

First up we have the excellent Monte Rei Golf and Country Club which is situated between the mountains and the ocean. The resort boasts lovely, self-catered accommodation and a stunning golf course as well as great leisure facilities and four restaurants. The apartments and villas were all built in a typically Portuguese style and are furnished to the highest standard with large terraces, outdoor dining areas and modern essentials. Of course, the main reason to choose Monte Rei Golf and Country Club as the destination for your next golf break is the superb Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course which opened in 2007 and very soon after, established itself as one of the finest courses on the whole of the Algarve. The course is a stern test of golf with five lakes bordered by indigenous plants and trees. Make sure to make playing on Monte Rei golf course on your bucket list and there is no better way to enjoy this course than to stay within the Monte Rei Golf and Country Club where you can find plenty to do for golfers and non-golfers alike as well as stunning scenery and everything you need in order to have the perfect golf escape.

The five-star Pestana Vila Sol Golf and Resort Hotel is arguably one of the best golfing destinations in Europe and boasts several fantastic courses in the area, beautiful beaches and a wide array of great restaurants and bars which are situated in the marina just five minutes’ walk from the hotel. There are 189 guestrooms within the hotel and they are all luxuriously decorated and boasts stunning views of the surrounding areas. All of the rooms are fitted with all of the amenities that you would expect from a hotel of this standard. Within the hotel’s local area, there are courses like Pinta, Gramacho, Silves, Alto and Dom Pedro Pinhal but most impressively, the Vila Sol is situated onsite of the resort and is considered to be one of the most popular golf courses in the Algarve. The Vila Sol course is a 27-hole complex and once held the Portuguese Open. The course has some truly beautiful and memorable holes with stunning views from almost every tee. You will play through the course winding through an immense pinewood where you can find a variety of nut and fruit trees. This is a stunning inland golf course with very narrow fairways and strategically placed hazards to test even the best of golfers. If you are looking for a five-star golf break somewhere where you can enjoy a multitude of excellent golf courses then look no further than the fantastic Pestana Vila Sol Golf and Resort Hotel for your next golf holiday…

Last, but certainly not least, is the five-star Ritz-Carlton, Abama which is situated in a beautiful and peaceful setting away from the more commercialised areas of the island of Tenerife. The hotel boasts 300 rooms and 120 villas which have all been decorated in a Moorish style with stunning views of the ocean, the gardens or the golf course. All of the rooms feature luxurious bathrooms, bedding and all of the facilities and amenities that you would want or need in order to enjoy your stay including Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and air conditioning. There is plenty to do within the local area with local attractions and sites to visit but the most important part of Tenerife is the golf. The island of Tenerife is home to some of the continent’s most prestigious golf courses and if you stay at the Ritz-Carlton, Abama, you can enjoy some of these being right on your doorstep. The Abama course is situated on-site of the hotel and Golf Costa Adeje is just 15 minutes’ drive from the hotel. With so much to do, see and enjoy on the island of Tenerife, look no further for your next golf escape than this island where the weather is great for golfing for nearly the entire year.

 

We hope that you have enjoyed this week’s blog and that you will think about these great resorts next time you are looking for your perfect golfing getaway…

Golf Escapes’ Best Serviced Apartments

by Ella Ruben

This week’s blog is a guide to some of the best resorts to go to if you are looking for well-appointed apartments. The great thing about staying within a well-fitted apartment when you are enjoying your next golf break is that you have the best of both worlds and you can choose to explore the resort’s and golf club’s dining options, but you can also choose to dine in and cook your own meals which can make things cheaper.

 

At the Las Lomas Village, there are some excellent four-star apartments which offer a superb self-catering option as an alternative to the hotel, La Manga Principe Felipe. All of the apartments boast everything that you could need or want in order to have an enjoyable and relaxing golf escape. La Manga Las Lomas Village is situated onsite of the La Manga Club Resort where you can find a fantastic hotel, brilliant golf courses, bars and restaurants and other leisure facilities. Within the resort, you can find three golf courses, a fitness studio, extensive spa facilities and a swimming pool.

The apartments are all built into a hillside which means that from them, you can enjoy stunning views over the North Course at La Manga Golf Club and out to sea. Within the village, you can choose between spacious townhouses and modern apartments dependent on your group size but wherever you stay, the facilities are the same. All of the accommodation is fitted with private balconies, complimentary Wi-Fi access and air conditioning as well as a fully-equipped kitchen, a lounge area and a dining table. If you choose to venture out of the apartments for food within the La Manga Resort, you can find ten different restaurants to choose from as well as two bars and two cafes which means that you can easily go out for food rather than cook. If you are looking for a great golf escape where you can stay in beautifully appointed apartments within a brilliant resort, then look no further than the La Manga Club Las Lomas Village for your next golf break to Spain.

 

Situated within the centre of the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course are the beautifully appointed Residences at Victoria by Tivoli. If you choose to stay within these brilliant self-catering apartments, you will get to enjoy a brilliant location just five minutes’ drive from the centre of Vilamoura and surrounded by some of the best golf courses in the region.

All of the apartments are two or three-bedroom apartments set within different building blocks and can accommodate between four and six guests within each apartment. Each of the apartments is fully furnished with a kitchenette, a lounge area, a private balcony or terrace from which you can enjoy stunning views and a garage. Within the resort, you can find everything that you need for a great golf escape with three swimming pools as well as an onsite restaurant for those who would rather eat out. Of course, as you are so close to Vilamoura where there is a brilliant harbour with many bars and restaurants, you can eat and drink out whenever you please easily. The best thing about these great apartments is your positioning to enjoy some of the best golf in the region. From the apartments, you have easy access to courses like Victoria, Laguna, Pinhal and Vila Sol. With beautifully appointed apartments which are perfect for self-catered golf escapes and excellent golf within the local area, look no further than the Residences at Victoria by Tivoli if you are looking for a well-appointed apartment on a great resort for your next golf break…

 

Last, but certainly not least, is the five-star Bom Sucesso Resort which boasts uniquely designed apartments which are all modern, clean, spacious and well-equipped. All of the villas and apartments boast beautifully furnished patios that lead through to the hotel’s gardens as well as everything within the property that you might need or want. There are well-equipped kitchens and fully-furnished common areas within the apartments which are all decorated beautifully.

This is a brilliant resort which boasts so much to do and see including a great, outdoor pool as well as an 18-hole golf course and other leisure facilities including four tennis courts and a football pitch. If you are looking to eat out as well as self-cater, you can enjoy Bom Sucesso’s restaurant which serves delicious Mediterranean dishes with a Portuguese touch and you can enjoy a filling and delicious breakfast at the golf club. During the summer months, from the resort, you can get a shuttle to the beach and Obidos. This is a wonderful resort to enjoy your next golf escape within and the best thing is, that you can choose whether to self-cater or eat within the resort’s restaurant or explore Obidos for bars and restaurants.

 

We hope that you have enjoyed this week’s blog and that you will consider one of these excellent self-catering options for perhaps, an autumn or winter sun escape where you can find great apartments situated within beautiful resorts with great golf courses…

 

What Makes a Golf Resort Great?

by Stuart Ridley

There are many different golf resorts out there that offer a variety of experiences, but why are some more popular than others? Here is Golf Escapes’ guide to what makes a golf resort a great one.

Us Brits love things to be easy when we are on holiday, and why wouldn’t we? If we can stay in a hotel and walk out to the golf course in the morning, have a nice dip in the hotel pool in the afternoon and then wander out to a local bar or restaurant in the evening, then that would just be perfect. Does that exist though? Of course it does!

La Manga Club in Murcia, Spain ticks all of these boxes. Just 25 minutes from Murcia airport, or 90 minutes from Alicante airport it is very accessible from most UK airports. La Manga Club Resort is basically one big town with the beautiful 5-star Principe Felipe hotel in the middle of it. 2 courses lay aside the hotel (North and South) and 1 course (West) is a 5-minute shuttle drive away. If the luxury 5-star hotel isn’t your thing, then you can also experience the 4-star Las Lomas apartments which are a 10-minute shuttle from the hotel and boast an enormous Spa in their grounds too. The resort is made so stress-free for its guests with a constant shuttle service running around all day to take you wherever you may want to go. Whether it be the tennis courts, spa, football pitches, golf courses or to many of La Manga’s bars and restaurants, the shuttle is just a phone call away. Both the hotel and apartments have bars and restaurants to walk out to for an evening and with food from all the continents available and of course a resident Irish bar on site, what more could you want? Bearing all this in mind, there really isn’t anything not to like about La Manga and this is why Golf Escapes consider it to be one of our ‘great’ golf resorts.

Another type of golf holiday people are starting to enjoy more is to have a hotel as the main hub for the week and not leave the site for the duration of your stay. This is not an easy thing for a hotel to achieve as the hotel needs to create an atmosphere to keep guests entertained throughout the day and evening. One resort that has this down to a tee is the Precise Resort El Rompido on the Costa de la Luz, Spain. How have they achieved this though? Simple… 2 fantastic golf courses (North and South) that provide a challenge to every handicap, a stunning 5-star hotel, a great pool in the middle of the horseshoe hotel and a little treat called Semi All-Inclusive. Semi All-Inclusive is every golfer’s dream. You get breakfast and dinner, plus drinks in the evening from 17:00 – 24:00. So whilst you play golf in the day, you don’t feel like you are wasting your All-Inclusive when you are on the course and as soon as its time for your sundowner in the evening, the drinks kick in at all 3 of the hotel’s bars. Perfect! El Rompido has somehow managed to create an atmosphere of an evening which brings hotel guests together and the hotel bars become a social hot spot. It’s this atmosphere that means all guests are happy to stay within the resort for their whole stay and never feel like they need to do anything else. It is this reason why Precise Resort El Rompido has made it is to Golf Escapes’ ‘great’ golf resorts.

The final golf resort to feature has been included for the golf it can offer. Well… and its stunning 5-star boutique hotel. Evolutee Royal Obidos Hotel & Spa in Portugal is an hour’s drive north of Lisbon airport and has a fantastic championship golf course on-site. The Royal Obidos golf course is flashy in every sense. With huge lakes, undulating fairways, immaculate greens and outstanding practice facilities, this course will leave you wanting to play it again and again. Although it is not just the course on site to the hotel that makes this resort so appealing. With 3 other courses within a ten-minute drive, the area of Obidos becomes one of the best golf destinations in Europe. Bom Sucesso (a European Tour Property), Praia d’el Rey (one of the most famous courses in Portugal) and the new West Cliffs Golf Links (will host many big tournaments in the future and could quite easily now be seen as the best course in the country) are the 3 courses that surround Royal Obidos and they all work together. A free shuttle service runs from the hotel doors to the other 3 courses and all 4 courses in the area are a must play. The hotel on-site to Royal Obidos is a thing of beauty. Quirky, but modern, it has a very open feel to the place. The reception and bar are next to one another and the main restaurant is just down the stairs. It makes for a very relaxing stay from the off as you won’t need to spend half your first day looking for everything. All your needs will be easily dealt with by the hotel’s fantastic staff. It is a real treasure of a resort for the keenest of golfers that like a touch of luxury and is why it is the last resort that makes it into Golf Escapes’ ‘great’ golf resorts.

Winter Sun Golf Escapes

by Ella Ruben

This week’s blog is a guide to some of our best properties where you can enjoy some winter sun. As the summer in the UK will be shortly drawing to a close, it is time to think about where you will be getting your golfing fix during the winter months…

Situated on the Costa del Sol is the brilliant La Cala Golf Resort which is an exclusive complex situated between the Sierra de Mijas National Park and the Mediterranean Sea. Onsite of the resort is three golf courses, several swimming pools and a luxurious spa for those who are less into golf and more into relaxing! Within the spa, there are hydrotherapy pools, a Turkish bath, a sauna and a range of health and beauty treatments available. All of the rooms within the resort are spacious and equipped with all of the facilities and amenities that you would expect from a resort of this standard including private balconies from which you can enjoy views across the stunning La Cala golf courses as well as satellite TV and free Wi-Fi. Within the resort, there is a brilliant restaurant which serves delicious International and local cuisine as well as a clubhouse and a lobby bar. It is no surprise that this is one of the resorts that we recommend if you are looking to get some winter sun this year and enjoy some golf in the sun later in the year as being situated on the Costa del Sol means that the weather here will be beautiful for at least a few more months as well as early next year.  With a great location just 35 minutes’ drive from Malaga and less than 10 minutes’ drive to the nearest beach, excellent accommodation and facilities as well as three superb golf courses – look no further for your winter sun golf escape.

Roda Golf and Beach Resort is situated in Caledonia just over one kilometre from the beautiful Mar Menor Beach. Onsite of the resort are many different apartments and villas which are available to rent and range from semi-detached houses and individual villas to two- and three-bedroom apartments. The apartments and villas are all fully-fitted with a well-equipped kitchen as well as a lounge area with a TV and often a terrace or balcony from which you can enjoy lovely views of the resort and the golf course. Whilst staying here, you have access to the many different swimming pools located around the resort and you are always within walking distance of the fantastic 18-hole Dave Thomas designed golf course.  The resort’s restaurant is situated within the impressive clubhouse and boasts a large bar area as well as an a la carte restaurant which serves a range of international cuisine which you can enjoy whilst look out across the golf course from the dining terrace. With local shops, bars and restaurants as well as a fantastic beach just a short drive away, look no further for your winter golf escape than the fantastic Roda Golf and Beach Resort.

The five-star adults-only Iberostar Sabila is situated just one minutes’ walk away from the beach on the Costa Adeje in Tenerife. The hotel boasts everything that you could possibly need or want for a brilliant golf escape with large gardens, an infinity pool, beautifully appointed guest rooms and some excellent golf in the local area including Golf del Sur, Golf Las Americas and Golf Costa Adeje. For those who are less into golf and more into relaxation, the hotel boasts excellent spa facilities which includes a wide range of health and beauty treatments and there is also a fitness centre where you can work out in the gym or take part in a number of different exercise classes. If you like to venture out of the hotel, the lively town of Puerto Colon is just 10 minutes’ walk away and there you can find many bars and restaurants as well as nightclubs if you are looking for them! For food within the hotel, there is a buffet-style restaurant as well as a selection of great bars including the poolside bar. With extensive facilities, brilliant local golf and a fantastic local town as well as beautiful rooms, the Iberostar Sabila is a great choice for some winter sun for your next golf break…

Last, but certainly not least, is the four-star Melia Atlantico in Isla Canela which is a very popular and modern hotel and boasts an idyllic beachfront location just 5 kilometres from the town of Ayamonte. This is a very luxurious hotel with high-class service, brilliant facilities and lovely guest rooms. All of the guest rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with all of the amenities that you would expect from a hotel of this standard including a flat-screen satellite TV, a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries and free Wi-Fi. The hotel offers a brilliant all-inclusive option which means that you would have no need to leave the hotel other than to go and explore the local golf courses like Isla Canela but if you choose not to go all-inclusive, there are many local restaurants to enjoy. Outside of the hotel is a beautiful sandy beach as well as a commercial centre with a selection of bars, restaurants and shops and there are several further restaurants just a short stroll away in Punta del Moral. With so much to do, see, eat and drink in the local area as well as sunshine when the UK has rain, look no further for your next golf break this winter than the Melia Atlantico in Isla Canela.

We hope that you have enjoyed this week’s blog and that when you are thinking about getting some much needed Vitamin D this winter, remember these properties and book your winter sun golf escape now!

New Properties to Golf Escapes

by Ella Ruben

This week’s blog is a guide to some of the fantastic properties that are new to Golf Escapes. Whether you are looking for something a bit different or just fancy a new resort for a change then check some of these brilliant properties out next time you are thinking about booking a golf break…

First up is the brilliant five-star Crete Golf Club Hotel and is situated at The Crete Golf Club which is a stunning 18-hole championship golf course situated within Hersonissos. There is plenty to do within the local area including Aquaworld Aquarium and Labyrinth Park. The hotel itself also boasts a lovely seasonal outdoor swimming pool as well as a fully-equipped fitness centre and gardens to walk around and explore. Each of the guestrooms boasts all of the amenities you would expect from a hotel of this standard including a flat-screen TV, a spacious ensuite bathroom, free toiletries and a hairdryer. The hotel’s restaurant offers a lovely a la carte breakfast in the mornings and delightful European cuisine for both lunch and dinner. Whether you are travelling with friends or family, this is a lovely and well-appointed hotel which boasts everything that you could need for a very special golf break with an excellent golf course onsite of the resort, brilliant facilities and a great location just over 10 miles from Heraklion International Airport.

Just five minutes’ walk from La Barrosa Beach and offering stunning sea views because of its position sits the lovely four-star Iberostar Royal Andalus. The hotel was renovated last year and there are now six different outdoor swimming pools as well as a range of leisure facilities for you to make the most of during your stay here. There is a brilliant sensations spa, a gym, tennis courts and a fantastic beach club to name just a few facilities. The best thing about this fantastic resort is its onsite Novo Petri Golf Course where you can enjoy a brilliant round of golf. All of the rooms are air-conditioned and boast bright décor, a satellite TV, premium Wi-Fi, a minibar and either a balcony or terrace from which you can enjoy breathtaking views of the hotel’s stunning surroundings. At this hotel, you can opt for all-inclusive which is a brilliant option for this hotel as there are two divine restaurants as well as a snack bar which both offer excellent international buffets and a la carte menus to suit guests of all tastes! In high season, there is an extra a la carte restaurant available. If you are looking for a great all-inclusive hotel with brilliant facilities, a superb location and wonderful weather then look no further than the brilliant Iberostar Royal Andalus.

The stunning Dolce Chantilly Hotel is situated just 45 minutes North of Paris and just 25 minutes from Charles de Gaulle Airport in the heart of the Chantilly Forest. The hotel has recently undergone expansion and there are now 200 modern and well-appointed guestrooms which all boast stunning views of either the golf course or the forest. The hotel’s Donatello Restaurant offers wonderful fine dining and serves delicious food which has been created using locally sourced ingredients. In the mornings, you can enjoy an amazing breakfast at La Veranda where you can enjoy your food whilst looking out across the hotel’s winter garden. Within the clubhouse, you can find the Swing restaurant and bar where you can enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere which makes this the perfect place to enjoy a few drinks and a bite to eat after your round of golf on the Garden Golf de Chantilly course. If you are looking for a relaxing golf escape with some brilliant golf and a hotel set within lovely surroundings, then look no further than the lovely Dolce Chantilly.

Last, but certainly not least, is the five-star luxurious Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife which is the perfect destination for your next winter sun golf escape. The hotel is set in a quiet area in the South West of the island and is positioned on the outskirts of Costa Adeje in between the brilliant courses of Abama and Golf Costa Adeje. As the resort boasts a beachfront location, you can easily spend most of your time lounging on the beach but there are also three swimming pools as well as a freshwater lagoon to enjoy. There is also an extensive entertainment programme to keep you busy in the evenings with live music and dancing. All of the guestrooms are beautifully decorated and furnished with a private ensuite bathroom, bathrobes and slippers, a flat-screen TV, a minibar, a safe and complimentary Wi-Fi. If you are more into relaxation, then golf then you can enjoy the hotel’s Rock Spa where you can find an extensive and varied beauty and massage menu as well as a fully-equipped fitness centre. This is a luxurious and fun hotel with plenty to do and see including some excellent golf which makes it the perfect place for you to enjoy your next winter sun golf break…

We hope that you have enjoyed this week’s blog and that you will consider one of these superb properties for your next golf escape…

The Orizonte Collection

by Ella Ruben

This week’s blog is a blog on the Orizonte Experience and the courses that the Orizonte Collection offers to keen golfers. In the Lisbon area sits the Orizonte Collection courses: Aroeira I and II, Ribagolfe I and II, Quinta do Peru and Santo Estevao. Each of these courses offers golfers something a bit different and the access to all of these brilliant courses is easy from a hotel like the Sesimbra Hotel and Spa where you can find everything you need from a hotel to base your exciting golf escape from…

The Sesimbra Hotel and Spa is a fantastic four-star hotel that boasts an excellent location just two minutes’ walk from the beach. The hotel is situated within the lovely fishing village of Sesimbra where you can find plenty to see, do, eat and drink in this lovely village. There is much to explore including the castle, the fishing harbour and the beach promenade. As the hotel is situated on the beachfront, all of the rooms boast private balconies from which you can enjoy stunning views out across the Atlantic Ocean. All of the rooms are spacious and light with all of the amenities that you would expect from a hotel of this standard including a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, a safe and a minibar.

During the day, whilst you are not enjoying a round of golf on one of the fantastic Orizonte Collection golf courses, you can spend time relaxing on the beach, around the pool or in the spa. The spa offers guests a wide range of different health and beauty treatments as well as extensive facilities including a Turkish bath, a sauna, a Tropical shower and a Vertical Hydromassage.

Of course, as you are situated within the lovely village of Sesimbra, you have a variety of great bars and restaurants on your doorstep but the brilliant Aquarius Restaurant within the hotel boasts delicious Portuguese fish and shellfish dishes. The Sesimbra Hotel and Spa is a fantastic hotel and it is no surprise that we recommend this hotel as your base for your next golf escape playing the brilliant Orizonte courses.

Aroeira Golf Resort stretches over 900 acres and boasts two brilliant golf courses. Aroeira I was designed by Frank Pennink and opened in 1973, since then the course has gained a brilliant reputation and played host for the Portuguese Open in 1996 and 1997 as well as other notable events including several Ladies’ European Tour events and the prestigious European Men’s Club Trophy in 2013. The course is not long by any means as it is just over 6,000 yards from the back tees, but it is still tricky due to the narrow, tree-lined fairways and 18 different but equally exciting holes. Aroeira II was designed by Donald Steel to meet European Tour recommendations and opened in 2000. This is a much longer course at over 7,000 yards from the back tees and is made even more challenging due to there being water hazards on no fewer than nine of the holes on the course. Both of the Aroeira courses were carved through heavily wooded and gently undulating terrain and they both offer golfers of any ability a brilliant round of golf.

Ribagolfe I has been previously described as the “Valderrama of Portugal” and proves to be a stern test of golf for those with even the lowest of handicaps. However, those with higher handicaps can play from the more forward tees and have an equally exciting and challenging round of golf. The course measures 7,370 yards from the back tees and plays longer and much tighter than its sibling, Ribagolfe II. Treacherous lakes come into play during the back nine holes and these lakes can damage your scorecard heavily if you are not playing accurately and strategically. Both Ribagolfe I and Ribagolfe II were carved out within a huge cork oak forest. Ribagolfe II is a shorter course than its sibling and was designed by former Ryder Cup player Michael King. The course boasts huge and moderately contoured greens which pose a stern test to golfers of all abilities.

Quinta do Peru boasts a beautiful location as it is framed by the stunning Arrabida Natural Park. The course was designed and crafted by Rocky Roquemore and is considered to be one of the best courses in Continental Europe. The course is set within a pine forest and has the Arrabida Mountains as its backdrop which means that from any point along the course, you can have the fortune to enjoy beautiful views. This course is a serious test of golf from the back tees with its huge American-style bunkers and many water hazards, but its natural beauty can make up for a poor scorecard.

Last, but certainly not least, is the brilliant Santo Estevao course which was designed by Donald Steel and opened for play in 2004. The course is set within the rolling landscape of the Northern Alentejo region and boasts more than 7,000 yards of brilliant golf from the back tees. The course features many strategically placed bunkers and greens which means that the layout of this course will challenge golfers of all abilities but because the land is only gently undulating, you can enjoy the round on foot. Santo Estevao will provide you with a scenic and enjoyable round of golf for most months of the year due to the mild climate here.

 

We hope that you have enjoyed this week’s blog and that when you are thinking about your next golf escape, remember these brilliant courses as there are very few places where you can go and stay and enjoy so many fantastic golf courses that have such high rankings.